MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello Volleyball team came out of Tuesday night’s showdown against Great American Conference rival Southern Arkansas University with a loss. The Blossoms played four sets in the match, falling to the visiting Muleriders, 3-1.
UAM closes out the day with a 10-17 season record and a 4-10 GAC record on the 2022 season after the conclusion of Tuesday evening.
The opening set began with the home team scoring the first point of the match. UAM and SAU would proceed to go neck-and-neck with each other for a majority of the set, refusing to let the other make a dominant push on offense. The score was tied twelve times throughout the entirety of the set, unfortunately concluding with a Mulerider win in set one, 26-24.
The Blossoms took a 2-0 lead to start set two thanks to an SAU attack error and an ace from Kenzi Thornton. Multiple kills from Riley Krenek and Camryn McGough throughout the set lead to UAM topping out their lead at a seven point advantage at 21-14. The home team would take set two with a final score of 25-20.
A strong 5-1 start from UAM in the third set was met with a 7-0 run from the Muleriders to take back the lead. Monticello would refuse to give up, bringing the score back within a single point at 13-12. Although SAU would pull back ahead, UAM would find five straight points late in the match to tie the score at 20-20. They would unfortunately drop the second set 25-23.
The final set of the rival match-up with Southern Arkansas scoring first and proceeding to take a lead. UAM would keep the score close for a short series of points, but would fall to an 11-5 Mulerider lead. The Blossoms were able to grind their way back to a two point deficit, but were unable to regain the lead. SAU would take the fourth set 25-21 and win the match, 3-1.
Alyssa Smith led the Blossoms in kills with 12. Riley Krenek and Camryn McGough followed up close behind with 11 each.
Mia Smalls contributed 44 assists in the match.
Defensively, the Blossoms were also led by Kenzi Thornton, who had 11 digs. Alyssa Smith and Holiday Ellis followed right behind with ten of their own each.
UP NEXT
UAM returns to action on Tuesday, November 1 as they take on Great American Conference member Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. The game is set to begin at 6:00 p.m.
Live stream and live stat links will be posted as clickable links on the UAM Volleyball schedule at uamsports.com.
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